Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to hold full power for takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said that he conducted a preflight inspection and engine run up, and no anomalies were noted. At 65 feet above ground level on the initial climb, the engine experienced a loss of engine power. He lowered the nose and performed a forced landing, but the airplane touched down hard which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. He said that the accident could have been prevented if he had tightened the throttle friction which accidentally rolled the power back to the idle position during the initial climb.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA279 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 30, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Somerset, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Somerset County Airport (2G9)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built AVID FLYER B
- N-number
- N145HF
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.